Method of making signs and supporting and drying frame therefor



Dec. 1, 1964 v. D. RAMSEUR, JR 3,159,519

, METHOD OF MAKING SIGNS AND SUPPORTING 'AND DRYING FRAME THEREFOR Original Filed May 11, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Vardry D. Ramseur Dec. 1, 1964 v. D. RAMSEUR, JR 3,159,519 METHOD OF MAKING SIGNS AND SUPPORTING AND DRYING FRAME THEREFOR Original Filed May 11, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o o o 0 Q g o INVENTOR. Vurdry D. Ramseur United States Patent 3,159,519 METHOD Gi MAKING lGNS AND SEJPhQRTlNG AND DRYING FRAME THEREFOR Vardry B. Ramsenr, in, Green /tile, S.C., assignor to Ports-Panel Products, inc, Greenviile, SAL, a corporation ofSeuth Carolina firiglnal application May if, 1959, Ser. No. 812,596, new Patent No. 3,071,871, dated Jan. 8, 1963. Divided and this application Oct. 13, 1960, Ser; No. 62,451

1 Claim. (Cl. 156-2'7il) The present invention relates to a new and novel method of making signs and a supporting and drying frame particularly suited for use with the invention method.

The present invention is a division of my copending application Serial No. 812,506, filed May 11, 1959, now US. Patent No. 3,071,871.

It has been a common practice for many years to apply or post signs to a sign board which is mounted in a fixed location; This practice is inefficien-t since it requires a crew of men to travel from place to place whereever the sign boards ar located and then perform the posting operation. This, of course, necessitates the transportation of equipment and the equipment must be carried to the sign board Wherever it happens to be located.

It has long been felt desirable to provide a means for posting and applying signs in a shop where the etficiency of applying the signs can be greatly enhanced since the equipment would be in one central location, and many signs could be posted one after another. This procedure has not been feasiblewith the large fixed signs which have been employed in outdoor advertising.

ln-shop posting has recently become practical due to the development of sign boards including a framework upon which portable panels may be readily mounted and removed therefrom. With these arrangements, the signs may-be formed in the shop upon the separate panels of the sign boards, and then the panels are transported to the desired locations and mounted upon the sign board frameworks.

In order to provide the maximum efiiciency in such inshop posting and production of signs, the separate panels should be posted in more or less assembly line techniques whereby the workmen can be kept continuously busy applying the posters to the panels Without the necessity of time delays between the application of posters to different signs. The problem of making the type of signs employed in outdoor advertising is a major one since the size of the signs is generally quite large. For example, such signs may commonly have a height of greater than feet and a width which may exceed 30 feet. It is evident that large surfaces must be covered, and it is not easy for a workman to efficiently apply signs to large panels unless they are in the proper working position.

Accordingly, the frame of the present invention provides an arrangement wherein the panels are supported in substantially edge-to-edge relationship with the exposed faces thereof lying substantially in a plane. The frame- Work is provided with flanges at the upper and lower portions thereof for supporting a first and second plurality of panels in edge-to-edge relationship with the first plurality of panels spaced from the second plurality of panels.

A heating means is supported at the lower portion of the frame work intermediate the opposite side portions thereof such that when the heating means is energized, heat is applied to the space between the first and second plurality of panels supported on the framework. In this manner, the panel's supportedon the framework are dried while in operative position.

The arrangement is such that signs can be efficiently produced in the minimum amount of time. The first and second plurality of panels are first supported upon the ICC framework in substantially edge-to-edge relationship. The sign poster means is then adhesively applied to the ex posed faces of the first plurality of panels and the heat ing means is energized. A second sign poster means is then adhesively applied to the second plurality of panels. The arrangement is such that While the second sign poster means is being applied, the first sign poster means is being dried on the first plurality of panels whereby upon completion of posting of the second poster means on the second plurality of panels,'the first poster means on the first plurality of panels has been dried.

The first plurality of panels with the poster means thereon is then removed from the frame and a third plurality of panels is mounted in operative position in substantially edge-to-edge relationship with one another. A third sign poster means is then applied to the third plurality of panels while the second poster means is being dried.

Upon completion of the application of the third poster means, the second poster means is dry, and then the second plurality of panels with the applied poster means is removed whereupon a fourth plurality of panels is mounted in place of the second plurality of panels.

It is evident that such pluralities of panels are posted in succession as described above with the heating means serving to dry the previously posted poster means while the subsequent poster means is being applied. With this arrangement, the posters may be applied with maximum speed such that the posting operation is substantially continuous and an assembly line technique is obtained.

A further feature of the method according to the present invention is the application of a baked enamel finish to panels of signs. When it is desired to form a sign having a baked enamel finish, the panels are first mounted uponthe framework as described above, and then a coat of paint is applied to the faces of the first and second plurality of panels. The temperature of the heating means of the frame is then raised to the required degree and then maintained for the required time to properly bake the first coat of paint. The heat is then interrupted and the panels allowed to cool to the point where additional paint may be applied to the sign posters. After each application of paint to the sign panels, the heat is then again raised for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to. bake the additional phase of the copy. This sequence of steps is followed until the sign is completed. In this manner a practical method is provided for producing individual baked enamel display panels with very little more effort than is required to paint a conventional sign.

It should be noted that in the application of posters to sign panels, these posters are generally applied by means of a suitable adhesive, and upon completion of the application of the posters on the panels which are normally formed of a light metallic substance such as aluminum, the posted surface is quite moist and can not ordinarily be handled for quite a while. By applying heat in the enclosed space formed between two sets of panels in cooperation with the framework, the rear surface of the panels is heated and heat is conducted through to the posted surface thereby drying out moisture on the surface. This forced drying provides a quick means of getting the panels in condition for handling such that they may be immediately removed from the frame and moved to the desired location.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of making signs which permits posting of the signs in the shop and Subsequently erecting the signs at a remote location.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of applying and heating sign posters to quickly get the sign panels in condition for handling.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a method of simply forming a baked enamel finish on sign panels.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a supporting and drying frame for making signs which is simple and inexpensive in construction and yet which is sturdy and efiicient in operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of making signs wherein no special skill is required and which can be carried out without the necessity of utilizing special tools and equipment.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a supporting and drying frame according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of an individual unit of the frame;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. -6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the frame.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the frame indicated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of individual units 11 shown as being four in number, these units being disposed in abutting relationship with one another to provide the completed framework. Each of the individual units 11 includes a pair of vertically extending members 15, each of which has a channel configuration as shown in FIG. 5 with the open slots 16 of the channels facing inwardly toward one another.

Plates 17 are secured to the lower inner surfaces of each of channels 15 with the plates spanning the slots 16 in the channel members, the lower edges of plates 17 being substantially planar with the lower edges of the vertical support members 15. The opposite edges 18 of plates 17 taper downwardly and outwardly. Elongated channel members 20 having a substantially U-shaped cross section are secured to the lower ends of plates 18; members 15, 18 and 20 being secured to one another by bolts in a conventional manner, each of these components being preferably constructed of a relatively rigid material such as hot rolled steel. It is apparent that plates 18 and elongated members 20 provide an effective support for the units whereby there is no chance of the units tipping over when sign panels are mounted thereon.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 7, an elongated angle member having a substantially L-shaped cross sectional configuration is bolted at the opposite ends thereof to the vertical members 15 of the unit. A gutter member 26 having a substantially U-shaped cross sectional configuration is provided with a longitudinally extending bead 27, the inner end 28 thereof being clamped between angle member 25 and the vertical members 15 for supporting the gutter in operative position.

A pair of elongated support members 30 having a substantially square cross section as seen in FIG. 7 are disposed in spanning relationship between the flange portions 15 of the vertical support members 15, the opposite ends of support members 39 being suitably secured as by welding to the flange portions 15. Support members 30 serve to support the heating means thereon indicated by reference numeral in operative position. Heating means 35 comprises an elongated housing having a lower wall 36 and spaced side walls 37 extending upwardly therefrom. The uppermost portions of the side walls 38 are offset with respect to the lower portion 37 thereof to provide a shoulder portion 39 extending longitudinally along opposite side portions of the housing of the heating means. Shoulder portions 39 rest upon the upper surfaces of support members 30 such that the housing of the heater is supported by its own weight on the support members 30. The housing of the heating means may be dropped into operative position as shown after the framework is assembled.

A pair of conventional electrical strip heating elements 40, including electrical resistance elements, are supported at the opposite ends thereof within the housing of the heating means, the electrical leads 41 thereof being connected to a junction box 42 as seen in FIG. 3 which is supported from the lower surface of the housing of the heating unit.

A conduit 43 is connected to a conventional switch or other control means (not shown) which is in turn connected with a source of electrical energy. The lower portions of the side walls 37 of the heating means are provided with a plurality of aligned openings 45 formed therein whereby air may circulate into the housing and the upper portion of the housing is open except for a plurality of cross braces 46 which are connected between walls 38 of the housing for reinforcing the intermediate portions thereof.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of angle members '50 and 51 having a substantially L-shaped cross section are bolted against opposite ends thereof to the flange portions 15' of each of vertical members 15. A first pair of elongated angle members 54 having an L- shaped cross section are supported upon the horizontally extending legs of angle members 50 and have the end portions thereof bolted to such horizontally extending legs whereby angle members 54 are supported in operative position and cooperate with the horizontally extending support members 15 to provide a rigid framework. A second pair of elongated angle members are supported upon the horizontally extending legs of angle members 51 and have the opposite end portions bolted thereto in a manner similar to that in which angle members 54 are supported.

An attaching member is secured to the outer surface of each of horizontally extending angle members 54 and 55, attaching members 60 being bolted at substantially the mid points of the horizontally extending members 54 and 55 and each including an offset hook portion 60 which are adapted to engage cooperating portions of the panels mounted on the framework for locking the panels in operative position.

An upper bracket is secured to the flange portions 15 of each of vertical support members 15 by bolts or the like and includes a downwardly and inwardly extending leg portion 65' bolted or other wise suitably secured to the upper end of a cross brace member 66. A lower bracket 67 is also secured to the flanges 15' of the vertical members 15 as by bolts or the like and includes an upwardly and inwardly extending leg 67' which is bolted or otherwise suitably connected to the lower end of each of cross brace members 66. It is evident that cross brace members 66 further serve to rigidify and strengthen the framework of the present invention. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, a top member 70 includes a first pair of downwardly extending side walls 71 through which bolts 72 extend as seen in FIG. 3 for securing the top member to the upper ends of vertical supports 15. Horizontal walls 73 extend laterally outwardly from side walls 71 and terminate in downwardly projecting flanges 74 which are spaced from the outer edge portions of the framework as defined by the outer edges of vertical support members 15. The individual units as shown in FIG. 3 have been described in some detail, and as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of units 11 may be disposed in abutting relationship with one another, the number of units so arranged being selected in accordance with the number of panels upon which it is desired to apply the signs. As shown in the drawings, four of the units have been disposed in abutting relationship, each of the units being substantially the width of a panel such that a 4- paneled sign may be posted on the frame as shown.

As seen in FIG. 1, four panels '80, 81, 82 and 83 are in place on the far side portion of the frame, and a panel 85 is being lifted toward the frame such that it can be mounted in operative position on the rear side portion of the frame. The panels are each provided with a pair of rearwardly extending looped portions (not shown) on the rear side of the panels which are adapted toslide over the hooked portion 69' of the attaching means 60 on horizontal members 54 and S5 of the frame.

The panel is lifted until the lower edge thereof is supported on the upper surface of angle member 25 with the upper portion of the panel received within the space defined between the outer edge of support members 15 and inner surface of dependant flanges 74 top member 70. The panel is then slid to the left such that the looped portions thereon engage hook members 60' for positively locking the panel in position. It is evident that three additional panels are mounted in a similar manner on the various units 11 such that when in assembled position, the panels are in substantially edge-to-edge relationship with one another. The panels are then ready to have the sign applied thereto, the exposed faces of the panels upon which thesign is to be applied lying substantially in a plane as is evident.

If a poster sign means is to be posted on the panels, the poster is adhesively applied to the panels at one side portion of the frame, and the heating elements 40 energized so as to heat the space which is enclosed by the panels and the top member 70 of the frame. The workers then move around to the other side of the frame and post the panels mounted on the other side. While the second plurality of panels is being posted, the moisture is dried from the poster surfaces of the first-mentioned plurality of panels. Upon completion of the posting of the second plurality of panels, the workers again move around the first side of the frame and remove the dried panels and quickly place another plurality of panels in position for posting. It is evident that this procedure can be continued indefinitely and a substantially continuous posting process is obtained. It is, of course, apparent that the gutter members 26 serve to receive any excess moisture or adhesive substance which may drop from the panels as they are being posted, thereby preventing such matter from falling on the floor or supporting surface.

After a posted surface has dried and it is desired to remove the posted panels from the frame, the poster means is cut along the seams defined by adjacent edges of sign panels such that the poster means is separated into areas coextensive with those of the panel surfaces upon which they are mounted. The panels may then be readily removed fromt he supporting frame, and thus subsequently be mounted upon a sign board to provide the finished sign.

When it is desired to apply a baked enamel surface to sign board panels, the panels are mounted upon the frame in exactly the same manner as described in connection with applying poster sign means, and then the process is carried out as described previously by alternately energizing and de-energizing the heating elements between application of the various coats of paint or enamel on the surfaces of the panels.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided a new and novel method of applying signs to panels of fully obtaining baked enamel finishes on sign panels in an eflicient manner. The method according to the present invention is quite simple, requiring no special skill and experience, and also eliminating the necessity of employing special tools and the like. The supporting and drying frame itself is quite simple and inexpensive in construction and yet is sturdy and efficient in operaton. The frame incorporates means for producing rapid drying of the panels by heating an intermediate chamber which is enclosed by the panels and the frame itself.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claim, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claim or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by the claim.

I claim: 7

The method of making a completed sign including a plurality of individual lightweight panels disposed in edge-to-edge relationship with one another to provide an over-all finished sign and which permits in-shop posting and assembly line techniques comprising, providing a supporting and drying frame, placing a plurality of substantially rigid lightweight, portable individual sign panels on the supporting and drying frame with the panels in edge-toedge contacting relationship with one another with the side edges of the panels extending substantially vertically and with the upper edges of the panels aligned with one another and the lower edges of the panels aligned with one another and outer surfaces of panels lying substantially in a plane so that the panels are in the same relaitonship to one another as they occupy in a finished sign, providing sign poster means in the form of a flexible sheet material printed on one side thereof, posting the sign poster means by adhesively securing said sign poster means to the outer surfaces of all of said panels with the sign poster means disposed in spanning relationship to the various panels and with the outer edges of the sign poster means substantially co-extensive applying heat to said panels throughout the entire area thereof for drying the adhesive securing said sign poster means to said panels such that the panels can be readily handled, completely cutting the sheet material of the sign poster means from the top edge to the bottom edge thereof along each of the seams defined by the side edges of the abuttingside panels such that the sheet material of the poster means is separated into a plurality of areas each of which is co-ex-tensive with the area of the outer surface of only one of the associated panels, and removing the individual panels with the attached poster means from the frame, whereby the panels may be moved with the attached poster means to a sign location to be mount ed upon a signboard framework in the same relationship to one another as the panels occupied during the posting operation with the panels in edge-to-edge abutting relationship with one another with the outer surface thereof lying substantially in a plane and with the printed poster portions defining a substantially planar outwardly facing sign surface presented to view as a finished sign.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,533,480 Stricker Apr. 14, 1925 1,634,333 Mock July 5, 1927 1,751,469 Bell Mar. 25, 1930 2,887,867 Burchenal et al May 26, 1959 

